I came across a diesel from East Coast that ran on heating oil #2,exclusively in the last 6 months,1995 OM 606,no modification made,now in Midwest,just off the transport truck,straight in the shop,will only start after a 5 min long crank(thanks to a new MB battery),then idle will surge up to 3000 rpm for 30 sec and die down again.What is the easiest way to blend what is left of the Heating oil in the tank,to be able to start and clean this thing?

Blend? Pull off the strainer and drain it. Then hope they don't check for dye in your area.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

Heating oil IS diesel in my area-East coast. It's dyed red to indicate it's untaxed fuel. Shouldn't cause any problems at all. It didn't when I burned it in my 87TD for over a year.

Bet that sitting at odd angle on the transport truck contributed to an o-ring failure (shrinking or drying out) which is causing your hard starts. Happened to me when mine sat a couple of weeks before being sold and then was shipped.

Check the large oring under the prefilter and make certain it is sealed tight and then under the shutoff valve for any fuel leaks. A leak there can cause some idle surge although is usually more like 100rpm, not 3k.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

How do you get heating oil? I don't think I've ever seen any place that sells it...

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Ich liebe meine Autos!

1991 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL | Megasquirt MS3-Pro | 722.6 transmission w/ AMG paddles | Feind Motorsports Sway Bar | Stinger VIP Radar | AntiLaser Priority | PLX Wideband O2 | 150A Alternator | Cat Delete
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Blown engine, rebuilding someday...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Rear ended, retired in garage.
2009 Yamaha AR230HO | Das Boot

Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!

by a large truck (like propane). It is stored in large tanks in basements obviously for home heating system fuel. It is very popular in the Northeast part of the country.

Mark

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85 300D (California) 220k
03 Silverado 1500 Xcab Z-71 Guzzler 90k Real American steel(made in Canada)
03 Suburban 1500 4x2 Guzzler 170k Real American steel(made in Mexico)
Diamondback hybrid
Element skateboard(mileage unknown)

Good news for diesel owners...There's no such thing as cold...only the absence of heat!

"Beer is proof that God wants us to be Happy." Benjamin Franklin

"Possession....the King of sin." The Avett Brothers

Rural towns and heavily commercial cities will often have stations that sell non-road diesel at the pump. Most of the time the pump is even larger than semi-truck nozzles because it's meant to fill 500+ gallon tanks very quickly.

I used to use it all the time in my 6.2l chevy up in berks county, Pa. I had a tank outside to heat the "garage".....only the garage wasn't heated . Yup, it is just diesel with red dye in it

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

What's heating oil cost today?

I used to buy "off road" diesel for my tractor when it was about $0.40/gal cheaper. Later it became a hassle to buy.

I considered going this route here. Usually you have to buy at least 100 gallons. I THINK it is around $2/gallon here.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Just put a 275 gal tank outside of your shop and call for a fuel oil delivery. Make sure to get fuel out and not kero. You should have several companies in your area that deliver....also called home heating oil.

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I use home heating oil for my house. It's got two 275 gallon tanks in the basement.

But, I'd never use it for the M/B. In one year, I might save $400. If they catch me with dyed fuel in the tank, the fine can be as high as $10,000.

The risk versus the reward doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

How many diesel cars have you ever heard of being fuel checked?

Most vehicles caught are large trucks at DOT checkpoints.

It's agreed that the chances are small for a fuel check of an automobile. But, with a fine of $10K, I'm not taking the chance...........regardless of the risk.

Naturally, you're free to do as you wish.

I carried a bottle of ATF with me when I was burning heating oil.
I would put a quart in every time I fueled up, or so I was prepared to say.
Never had the tank checked, never heard of anyone that did,